Recycled Bomb Chopsticks
Recycled Bomb Chopsticks
Recycled Bomb Chopsticks
Recycled Bomb Chopsticks
Recycled Bomb Chopsticks
Recycled Bomb Chopsticks

Recycled Bomb Chopsticks

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Regular price $42.00
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Only 17 items in stock!
SLATE + SALT'S VALUES
Description From SLATE + SALT

Turning war into peace, these recycled bombshell chopsticks carry a meaningful message and give back to a community once devastated by bombing. These truly unique chopsticks will be the conversation piece of any meal!

Details:

  • Material: Recycled aluminum bomb parts
  • Measurements: L 8.25" 
  • Handmade with love in Laos 
  • As with all handcrafted goods, there are slight variations making each piece a work of art and truly one of a kind.

Artisan Profile:

Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in the world. From 1963-1973, Laos became an unwitting pawn during the Second Indochinese War. During this time, the US Air Force dropped a planeload of cluster bombs every eight minutes for nine consecutive years. Right after the war, villagers began gathering aluminum from exploded bombs and made it into spoons. The villagers were taught this skill by a family that relocated to Ban Naphia from Houaphan Province, further north. In the early days, five families produced recycled bomb spoons. Today, there are approximately 13 families producing more than 150,000 spoons per year from war and non-war scrap aluminum. Production has expanded to include bracelets, earrings, and pendants.

We work with artisans in Ban Naphia located in the Xieng Khuang Province who source aluminum from airplane parts and bombs dropped throughout Laos during the Secret War (Vietnam War) in the 1960s. The community which produces the recycled bomb products has all been trained by Helvetas, a Swiss NGO, on how to handle the metals safely, including smelting and cleaning the aluminum before use.

It is important to note that of all the bombs dropped in Laos, 30% did not explode. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of villagers in rural Lao. In their search for scrap metal, many villagers encounter UXO and suffer catastrophic injuries. The generous spirit and ingenuity of Lao artisans are evident in the collection of recycled bomb products. War and persistent air raids in the 1960s left the countryside littered with bombs and metal shrapnel. The remnants of this legacy have been transformed into emblems of peace.

Shop more from SLATE + SALT's collection

About SLATE + SALT

Traditional techniques meet modern design with SLATE + SALT’s collection of one-of-a-kind pieces. The brand was founded by Lyndsay, a travel junkie who fell in love with the people, cultures, and craftsmanship she encountered exploring off the beaten path villages across Southeast Asia. She shares an ever-evolving selection of designs from her personal relationships with talented artisans in 14 countries and counting! These artisans create beautiful blankets, towels, pillows,  wall hangings and more to enhance your home. With many of these artisans living in areas of extreme poverty, SLATE + SALT follows all of the principles of fair trade to pay them fair wages and offer their authentic crafts to a global market. This benefits everyone—the wider consumer pool is good for the makers, but it also means we get to admire their beautiful creations!

SLATE + SALT's Return Policy

SLATE + SALT stands behind everything they sell and they want you to be happy. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return the product and get a full refund or exchange the product for another one, be it similar or not. SLATE + SALT's return policy lasts 14 days from the purchase date. Return shipments must be postmarked within 14 days of receipt to be eligible for a refund. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging with all tags attached. Once your return is received, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item and issue a refund. If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment. Banks and credit card companies normally take a few days to clear a transaction so please be patient if the refund does not show automatically. Return Shipping: Buyer is responsible for paying shipping costs of a returned item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund and had previously paid for shipping, the cost of shipping will be deducted from your refund. Please Note: If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

Please reach out to team@donegood.co to start a return.